While this is a
Spinone website, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial
Association (ESSFTA) has put together an all encompassing site
to help puppy people select the right breeder. While this
site's focus is the English Springer Spaniel, so some of the
issues do not relate to the Spinone in regards to health, most
of the suggestions do apply. An interesting note is that there
is no mention of a breeder being a member of club as a
qualification, and goes to warn against any that use a club as
a marketing tool.

Choosing
between male and female dogs is a matter of personal
preference. However, there are some characteristics which are
common in bitches and other characteristics which are common
in male dogs. This is a general description of what you
can expect with either sex of dog in an intact state. Spaying
and neutering can make either sex more neutral in temperament.